Claims Birkdale deaf school is still blighted by yobs

Mike Bishop's pictures show how the Birkdale School for Hearing Impaired Children has become a shell of its former self after being the target for vandals since its closure in 2003.

A town centre councillor has claimed that the Birkdale deaf school site was not properly secured.

Birkdale School for Hearing Impaired Children, which has been vacant since 2003, has become an eyesore in recent years. Yobs torched the Lancaster Road building in 2010, and residents have repeatedly complained about its poor condition.

Now Clr Tony Dawson has claimed that contractors recently failed to secure the site properly. He also claimed that yobs intent on anti-social behaviour were still able to access the site.

In an email to Sefton Council, Cllr Dawson said: "I have been notified by near neighbours of the former Birkdale Deaf School that under the threat of an Urgent Works Notice, the council persuaded the owners of the building to make the it reasonably weather-tight and to improve security.

"Unfortunately, the reports which I receive (and which I believe have been sent directly to yourself) the work carried out has allegedly been to such a poor standard that youths are already entering the building once again in significant numbers and causing further damage to the fabric of this listed structure which is key to the conservation area.

"I have also had conversations with the local PCSO who is seriously distracted by the antisocial behaviour on this site - and have raised the matter with his superiors.

"I have raised with your department before the view that the only sensible way forward with this site, is to serve a Repairs Notice under Section 48 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, setting out, in full detail, the repairs needed for proper preservation of the listed building - with the clear and genuine notice to the owners that any failure to comply completely with these instructions will lead to Compulsory Purchase of the site. Obviously, given the council's present cash position, it would make sense to try to secure a potential partner for development of the site appropriately in advance of any such move."

Sefton Council has told Visiter.co.uk that the site is now fully secure, and that Sefton is working with owners and the police to deal with anti-social behaviour.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “The property has now been secured and we continue to work with both the land owner and the police to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour.

“In order to protect building a calendar of works was drawn up and issued to the land owner, including ensuring the listed building is water tight, and these have now been complete.

“Talks with potential developers for the site are progressing and we hope to have a resolution in the near future.”

Plans have been submitted to transform the derelict school into luxury apartments.